isleofavalon | EVENT ✨ The Winter Solstice

EVENT ✨ The Winter Solstice

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This is the event log. Reply with your character's top-level response using the prompts below, or come up with your own related scenario! Totally up to you. You're also welcome to make your own network posts, but we encourage you to keep logs in one place. If you have trouble loading, please click here to view top-level comments only. Please check the plotting post here for more details and questions. The event itself takes place on Dec. 21st.

As the moon rises on the 21st, all non-emergency businesses will be closing early as the Winter Solstice celebrations are of the utmost importance. Those who participated in the ritual will feel the night is different in their very being. Anyone who participated in the Winter Ritual preparations will be immortal for the next 24 hours. No harm may come to them, they will not be affected by the cold, and their magic will be amplified significantly as they are currently a conduit for the world's magic. Everyone, regardless of whether they participated in the preparations or not, is welcome to partake in tonight's festivities as there are many ways in which the Winter Solstice is celebrated.

The most significant event of the night is the Solstice Night Run. If you didn't participate in the ritual, you may be able to get a hit off of someone's Everwarm to participate. At the edge of the City of Camelot, heading into the Brocéliande, characters will be asked to remove their clothing (or if they aren't comfortable with that, change into very light robes provided by local donations) to return as close to a natural state as possible, then run through the forest. As characters run through the forest, despite everything being covered in ice and snow, the woods will begin to come alive. Will-o-wisps sprout out of the snow and shake the frost off, floating in the air to provide lights throughout the forest. The trees seem to move and dance as you pass by, flurries pick up, and even some animals will start running alongside you. It's a celebration for all, as magic flows through your body as becomes part of the forest.

Inevitably, somehow, someway, those participating in the run all end up reaching what seems to be a crack in the ground, slabs of rock surrounding a stream of water flowing through the crack. This is the fairy fountain of Barenton, a crack in the fabric of Avalon that connects its waters to other worlds. Though it's currently unable to connect now due to the time freeze, some of the fairy folk running with you will happily let you know that some of its powers are still in tact-- try sprinkling some water on the stone slab nearby. As the waters trail down the slab and form a puddle on the floor, the drops from your hand will open a vision of a treasured memory. Anyone near you will be able to see it, so only do it if you're willing to share. There are many other uses, but since you're still very new, this is the only one they're willing to share for the moment. Regardless of whether you choose to use that form of magic or not, as you approach the fountain, it will begin to bubble and glow, and lights like an aurora borealis will begin to glow around you as your connection to Avalon deepens. You'll be able to feel the life of the forest, a connectedness to the world you've likely never felt before. Every leaf, the wind, every living being, the magic in the fabric of the world, is a part of you and you are a part of it.

As the night presses on, a large number of fairies begin to form fairy circles, both in the forest and back in the City-- so you needn't have participated in the run to find one. Toadstools and flowers sprout up through the snow that hadn't been there before, forming near-perfect circles in nature. Stepping into one, whether on purpose or on accident, will shrink you down to the pixies' size so you can dance with them, if you promise to keep going for the whole dance. The dance lasts about 20 minutes straight and there don't seem to be any rules besides keep moving around the fairy circle, even if you bump into someone. In the last minute of the dance, pixies will fly above the circle and sprinkle dust over the whole party. Anyone who completed the dance will be returned to their normal size and granted the ability to fly for the duration of the witching hour of 2-3am. You'll be invited to drink with them afterward, if that's your thing, but will not be offended if it isn't.

Not completing the dance despite stepping into their circle, being rude to the pixies, or attempting to stop anyone who is dancing will anger the pixies. Pixies are a tricksy bunch, so you'd be better off avoiding this, but if a character happens to get on their bad side, there are a few different types of pixie curses they may be inflicted with:

Small Soul:

Pixy-led:

Bellbark:

As the night winds down, anyone who had participated in the ritual will find themselves rather suddenly sleepy regardless of where they are and may fall asleep as if under a spell right there out in the snow. They'll wake up normally in the morning, the land having used their slumber as time to finish off its work using you as a conduit. Don't worry, those under the influence of the ritual's effects won't catch cold or anything... though, we can't guarantee anything with those pixie effects-- they weren't really harmful, after all, just irritating. Anyone who fell asleep outside will find that the snow has melted in their area for about 5 feet and bright green plants have started sprouting around them on the ground, some vines growing around their limbs but ultimately nothing that can't be brushed off easily.

It would appear that while it was a permitted act during the Winter Solstice, the fae who may have told you about that little trick with the fountain and the pedestal may not have shared the whole story. As it turns out, the slab that everyone was trickling water onto is a stone known as Merlin's Step. Merlin's Step, when a little bit of water is sprinkled upon it, summons rain. When a lot of people put water on it, it summons a huge thunder storm. It is certain to, as many of the fairies are happy to attest, wash away the freezing snow so they can move about freely during the winter again. Fae often have ulterior motives, even if they're often coupled with good intentions. This may have gone a little beyond their expectations, however, as enough people have done it that the storm has brought about torrential rains and hail, frequent zaps of lightning, and strong winds. Most people are being urged and ushered into cellars throughout the city as the hail has been causing injuries, breaking windows, and the lightning is strong enough that it's been striking the ground frequently. You may end up crammed together in a small, dark room while a storm rages outside with little to do except what's in the cellar-- eat canned foods, play old board games, dust of a.. uh oh, is that a Ouija board? Get creative and have fun with what you think could be in the cellar you end up in.

After what seems like most of the day, the storm is still raging on, but the next moment you find still water, the Lady of the Lake's face shows up, with another woman beside her. The Lady of the Lake's ability to communicate via water is being used to reach everyone at once. The Lady doesn't say anything, once she's got it live, well aware that they're short on time as the lake surface is choppy and dangerous right now. They have a limited time above the surface to speak, so she leaves it to the woman with her.

”"It would seem my brethren have gotten carried away treating you all for helping with the ritual. I can put an end to this storm, but there is a cost. You'd do well to learn all magic has one sooner than later. The stronger the magic, the harder it is to stop. Your first lesson in breaking spells follows: In using Merlin's Step, you've awoken his Black Knight. Bring me his sword. Don't bother trying to kill him, he's already beyond that.

Don't be alarmed if you see more than one, dears. The Brocéliande is known to play with its guests when it's in a bad mood."

She smiles as she says it, and the image disappears out of the water. A small whorl forms in the water and a small vial pops out. An attached slip says "Pour me out and drop the sword into the water." for how to deliver the sword to her, as she certainly didn't say who she was. In order to obtain the Black Knight's sword, characters will have to find creative ways to fight an unkillable knight and distract him long enough to steal his sword. Using magic and teamwork is your best bet. Multiple groups of characters can obtain the Black Knight's sword and Morganna won't tell which one is real, as she won't be able to tell until she receives it and is always pleased to see those doing her bidding anyway. As a thanks and an apology, anyone who dares to fight the Black Knight and bring the sword to her will find a pile of fresh, edible mushrooms and herbs wrapped in a cloth on their doorstep the next day. The cloth they're wrapped in has a culinary recipe on it for a lovely mushroom soup. These are from the fairies who encouraged everyone to use the water, not Morganna. Her gift was to stop the storm, leaving the realm glistening as the sun comes out and sparkles against the rain on the ground and small remaining clumps of slush.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Gokudera won't be asking about the scar if he doesn't see it, and he's not looking for scars even when he is this close and something like that would be impossible to miss. Instead, he's focused on everything going on around him. Yamamoto's voice is soooo loud from this close and he winces at it. "I'm not gonna fall!" He argues and holds on even tighter just to prove his point.

It would be awkward but funny if Gokudera fell into his robe and just sat there right against its belt, nestled in against his stomach and the fabric but that is way too much baseball idiot, thanks. Gokudera is already overwhelmed at his current size, he doesn't need to surround himself with the acknowledgement of their size differences.

"Sure. I'd just stick it right in there and suddenly BAM your innie is going to be the grand canyon of all belly buttons!" He laughs a bit maniacally, but at his size it just sounds higher pitch and more like a little giggle than anything.

Yamamoto is not exactly showing it off or talking about it. Really he has said little about their future so far unless prompted. It's all a little confusing for the baseball idiot how each of them seems to be from a different place in their history, so he is letting it ride for the moment. The fact that he holds on tighter makes Yamamoto feel better, even as the baseball idiot yawns again.

It would be hilarious but he'd prefer to avoid that comedy right now himself, so he would not be offended if it might be a safer, warmer mode of transportation for his friend.

He dissolves into laughter, unfortunately, he can not completely hold still in the motion, but he does not make any big or jarring movements so Gokudera should be okay. It would be more frightening, less funny if not for the fact that was such a high-pitched giggle in his ear and it's coming from Gokudera. He sucks in a breath when he is done, continuing on his way but already thinking he wouldn't mind stopping to take a break.

"Maybe I got an outie, you'd never know!" He almost laughs again. Besides, does he even have a belly button, are they sure he's not some clone of his dad, no one has ever seen or heard a word about any kind of mother after all.

While Gokudera's normal laugh has become high pitch thanks to his size, Yamamoto's laugh is thunderous and has Gokudera jerking and clapping his hands to cover his ears. He isn't scared to get jostled, but he does give an annoyed little hiss.

"Dumbass! You're going to make me deaf!" He shouts, close to Yamamoto's ear, but it may as well seem like the same volume as his normal speaking voice.

"I would too know! I've seen you without a shirt!" Gokudera says and scoffs. "I'll turn it into an inie! Don't think I won't!"

Yamamoto did not think about it and immediately claps a hand to his mouth after Gokudera says that, because of course he nearly laughs again, he can not help it.

"Maa, maa, calm down Gokudera, I didn't do it on purpose." Though at least that time he did not sound tiny and high pitched, it helps stave off the next round of chuckles.

Damn it, he has to slap his hand back to his mouth as another chuckle wants to bubble up out of him. "No way, I'm not letting you put dynamite in my belly button!"

Gokudera watches that hand clap over that laughing mouth and gives a small sigh of relief over it, but still... that hand looks like it could squash him, so he's looking out. Yamamoto may be oddly graceful or whatever, but Gokudera isn't interested in pushing his buttons and getting thrown like a baseball or something.

"Alright." He huffs and then grins at the way the other is clearly snickering against his hand.

"Okay, but if you run, I'm going to!" Gokudera threatens and tugs at the neck of the robe a little more so it can cover more of his body against the cold. His potion is working fine, but he's still feeling chilly. Yamamoto's shoulder is more comfortable a seat than he thought it would be.

He wouldn't, okay maybe in the right circumstances that might happen. But those circumstances don't seem to be happening now so it should be okay. Right?

Yamamoto can not see the grin, only because his eyes are sleepy and he is having to focus on where he is walking. He stifles a yawn even as he is still recovering from trying not to laugh.

He rubs at one eye as if it's itchy, never one to take a break or stop till he has to, Yamaoto is in fact considering that the tree over there looks comfy.

"Hey Gokudera, mind if we take a break, I'm feeling kind of sleepy and it'd give you a chance to warm up better." Really he just wants to sit down and is in fact heading for that comfy-looking spot he sees.

Right. Who knows? It's a possibility, and even if it's super minimal, it's worth being worried about.

Gokudera notices the yawn, only because compared to his small one (they really are contagious, wow), it seems much louder. He was just getting obscenely comfortable inside Yamamoto's robe, and he blinks blearily up ahead.

"Mnn ok." Warming up sounds too good an offer to pass up, so of course he's going to agree. Gokudera yawns again and leans a little more, slouching against the side of Yamamoto's neck and nodding off a little.

For once, Gokudera is probably right to worry and maybe even to overthink some, because being that small, suddenly everything has to become exceedingly dangerous. Not that Yamamoto would mean to do anything but accidents happen.

He is grateful the bomber does not argue the taking a rest moment makes his way to that very comfortable looking tree, stifling another yawn as he does so. Doing everything he can to not stretch after on reflex.

"Hold on, going down." He warns as he reaches the tree and slow, carefully slides himself into a sitting position; his raven topped head relaxes back against the tree bark, his legs stretch out, and without realizing it, his eyes are already closing; he's more than half-asleep before he's even warmed the ground beneath him with his butt.

It's a good thing he's on a large, considerate person. If he were wandering through the grass in this forest until the next day, he has no idea what kind of natural predators he may face. Also, it's good that the baseball idiot has keen reflexes, as he'd be able to spot and help the bomber if he needed it. But, Gokudera's more prone to worrying needlessly than being appreciative.

That yawn has him yawning again and he frowns, wondering if he's also legitimately sleepy, or if it's just really comfortable where he is. The descent is like being on an elevator, and it's fairly smooth. As Yamamoto leans back, Gokudera wonders if the baseball idiot is going to get too cold and risk his health for a break.

However, Gokudera is much too tired to point out how stupid it is to fall asleep in a snowy forest. He's comfortable, and tucks himself in a little further, curling onto his side beneath the cover of the robe's neckline.

Yamamoto does not really consider these things. He is just glad that he did find the bomber, they'll have to try and figure a way to get him big, but that is probably more Gokudera's department than it is Yamamoto's if he is honest. All he can do now is transport and protect the shrunken hitman.

It tickles a little when Gokudera moves, but then he settles in, and the baseball player feels the warmth from that spot, it's relaxing and really overall just makes him sleepier. It's one of the dumbest things he has done, getting this cozy on the snowy ground, thankfully for the moment, while he is exhausted, his everwarm potion at least seems to be keeping him warm.

By the time the fleeting thought that they need to keep going entered his mind, the swordsman is too far gone, his eyes heavy and in moments he is asleep.

It appears he will be staying that way till the morning when they awake with the magic having melted the snow in a big area around them, but not banishing the morning chill or the warmth that comes from a friend tucked in close. That in a sleeping body and mind means snuggling into closer without registering where or what is going on.

Gokudera is too sleepy to be paying much attention, can't find it in himself to even open his eyes or hum an agreement about anything, and simply drifts right off. It's warm, despite the chill to the air, and even as he sleeps, the temperature doesn't seem to change.

He has no idea when he returns to his normal size, but he's leaned entirely against Yamamoto when he wakes up, his entire body weight against him, hugging onto one of his arms since that's what he'd fallen asleep closest to.

The arm wrapped and under Yamamoto's is asleep and he's curling and loosening his fingers, lifting his other hand to rub at one of his eyes as he shifts and looks at the ground. It's morning? There's grass? But... isn't it winter? He shifts upright and looks over, realizing how close he'd been, and scooting a little further away, shoving to make sure that Yamamoto isn't falling over onto him, but waking up against the tree. It's less compromising that way.

"Oi. Wake up."

Yamamoto is not thinking about compromising or anything like that, he does give a sleepy grumble when Gokudera scoots away, the warmth gone, and by the time he is pushed into the tree he is already coming to.

"Maa, maa Gokudera, why are you pushing me?" He yawns, scrubbing down his face with one hand, he shivers at the sudden realization that he is a lot colder than he was when he was sleeping.

Blinking a couple of times as his fellow Guardian comes into focus, he stretches, not seeming too bothered but then again till he fully wakes up he is not going to realize he just spent the night snuggled up to his friend on the forest floor.

It’s a good thing he doesn’t realize that they were snuggled up in the forest together through the night. Gokudera knows, and he’s going to be rather tight-lipped about it. He’s bothered, and waking up that way can only be fixed by getting away from the baseball idiot. The bomber is still in his robe, and it feels sheer. His arms fold up and he slouches forward, visibly cold.

“You were leaning on me! Let’s just get out of here and go back inside where it’s warm!”

What an odd and uncomfortable way to start a morning!

Problem is, the moment Gokudera says you were leaning on me Yamamoto blinks rapidly a couple of times. They can write up the fact that the tips of his ears go pink to the cold as that is obviously it. He lets out that sheepish chuckle of his, grinning after the inhalation as he brushes the back of his head with his hand.

"My bad! I guess I was sleepier than I thought."

The swordsman moves to his feet, well, this is awkward because if he was leaning on Gokudera, that probably means he spent the night that way from the time the other grew back to his normal side. That is awkward enough, add in the thin barely-there robes they are wearing and yeah, he is not talking about this or making eye contact.

"Okay! We should stop back at the starting line and get our clothes."

“Tch!” They were both sleepy and both leaning on each other. At least Gokudera answered his question, and it wasn’t an aggressive shove, just a push to get the other boy off of him and wake him up some.

He’s not thinking about how how probably fell asleep on the baseball idiot, so probably grew against him, or that his clothing at the moment is maybe more revealing than he’s comfortable with. Good thing Gokudera seems uncomfortable most of the time. He watches the way Yamamoto reacts, and his eyes narrow, noticing the avoidance.

“Yeah. The sooner we can get back inside, the better.” Maybe he’ll take a hot shower or something. It’d be nice to put on way too many layers or be inside for a bit. At least they aren’t tired and he isn’t being put in any more frightening situations. Gokudera’s happy to be at his regular size and pretend like the night didn’t even really happen.

That is all true, though Yamamoto is trying to do exactly the same as his fellow Guardian, pretend it did not happen. Especially thinking that Gokudera fell asleep on him, there are layers here that do not need to be explored or unpacked he thinks. They are already working through the steps to being friends again from Yamamoto's way of thinking. Bringing this whole thing up and trying to talk about it could only make it worse.

"Yeah, somehow the snow around us melted but it's still pretty cold." He is back on his feet, literally and figuratively, so he is able to make eye contact and say it all with a chuckle and that trademark grin of his.

His awkwardness over it all safely locked inside as he takes a moment to look around and get his bearings. Once he thinks he has them, he points to the right "I think it's through here."

"Probably because our bodies gave off heat, and we had that potion." Gokudera responds, already having picked a direction he thinks is the right way. It's a little off, but he doesn't mind adjusting to follow the swordsman out and return back to town.

"Hope the Tenth got back safely." Gokudera says. He's pretty sure he did, since they parted before he ever got sleepy and stepped into another pixie circle.

"True, I didn't think about that." As they start to head back he props his heads behind his head. It will be nice to get back into his own clothes, definitely help any residual awkwardness he is feeling.

"I'm sure he did, he headed back to the inn earlier than us." So hopefully their friend was passed out, warm, safe in a bed. But of course, once they gather their belonging that is where they both will head, because while he may not have the fanatic worship that Gokudera does, Yamamoto cares a great deal about Tsuna and his safety is always a priority as all his friends' safety is.

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EVENT ✨ The Winter Solstice

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shall we wrap this up?

Works for me.